Editorial: Lynch, Delahunt have earned a check

Both Delahunt and Lynch have proven to be good learners and steady members of an often raucous and unpredictable Congress.

With or without our endorsement, U.S. Reps. William Delahunt and Stephen Lynch will sail to reelection because they face no opposition on the ballots.

But that does not mean we should not acknowledge the strides both men have made in emerging from the larger shadows of other members of our congressional delegation and finding their places and causes in representing the districts in our area.

Delahunt has had a fascination with foreign affairs since began representing the 10th Congressional District in 1997. Sometimes he’s misstepped, sometimes he’s been on target but unheard because of his short tenure.

But his work on the Foreign Affairs committee in focusing on the Iraq invasion and his efforts to mend fences with Latin America, including Cuba, are beginning to find a wider audience.

Locally, he has become a bigger advocate for environmental clean-up, economic investment especially around tourism, programs for whale-safe gear for local fishermen and the Washington point man for development of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station, among other areas of regional interest.

Lynch, representing the decidedly blue-collar 9th congressional district, has tapped his own roots as a former ironworker to champion issues that have benefited working families such as higher education fund availability, housing assistance for veterans, pension, health and financial education for the elderly and worker retraining, to name a few.

While not on the visibility level of other members of the state’s delegation on international issues, he has made trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and worked to hold the Bush administration accountable for its actions.

One of Lynch’s finer moments came earlier this year during the circus that was the hearing into Roger Clemens’ alleged use of steroids. Lynch asked tough questions, stayed on point and did little in the way of grandstanding or hero worshipping, unlike many of his colleagues.

Both Delahunt and Lynch have proven to be good learners and steady members of an often raucous and unpredictable Congress. Even without opponents, they deserve a check mark from voters.

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